retail Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun the selling of goods to consumers; usually in small quantities and not for resale
  2. verb be sold at the retail level
    • These gems retail at thousands of dollars each
  3. verb sell on the retail market
  4. adverb at a retail price
    • I'll sell it to you retail only

WordNet

Re"tail noun
Etymology
F. retaille piece cut off, shred, paring, or OF. retail, from retailler. See Retail, v.
Definitions
  1. The sale of commodities in small quantities or parcels; -- opposed to wholesale; sometimes, the sale of commodities at second hand.
Re"tail adjective
Definitions
  1. Done at retail; engaged in retailing commodities; as a retail trade; a retail grocer.
Re*tail" transitive verb
Etymology
Cf. F. retailler to cut again; pref. re- re + tailler to cut. See Retail, n., Tailor, and cf. Detail.
Wordforms
imperfect & past participle Retailed ;present participle & verbal noun Retailing
Definitions
  1. To sell in small quantities, as by the single yard, pound, gallon, etc.; to sell directly to the consumer; as, to retail cloth or groceries.
  2. To sell at second hand. Obs. or R. Pope.
  3. To distribute in small portions or at second hand; to tell again or to many (what has been told or done); to report; as, to retail slander. "To whom I will retail my conquest won." Shak.
    He is wit's peddler, and retails his wares At wakes and wassails. Shak.

Webster 1913